Oral cancer screenings will be held from 8:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17 at Mercy Dental Services (on the second floor of the Surgery Center/Cancer Center building). Dental professionals will visually examine the soft tissues in and around the mouth and neck; checking for abnormalities that may require additional attention.

Oral cancer starts in the mouth (oral cavity), and oropharyngeal cancer develops in the throat. Nearly 50,000 new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the United States this year. The most common symptom is a sore in the mouth that does not heal. Pain in the mouth that does not go away is another common symptom. Early detection improves chances for successful treatment and saves lives.